‘We don’t want to suck’: Can the Broncos avoid another slow defensive start in 2024?

Linebacker Alex Singleton scored a goal for a Denver Broncos defense that saw extremes in performance last season as the team concluded its summer vacation.

Earlier this month, Singleton declared, “We don’t want to suck.” “I think that’s most teams’ goal.”

Although the public conversation around the club has been dominated by the quarterback rivalry and the addition of rookie passer Bo Nix as the team’s first-round selection, the Broncos, hiding behind their camouflage, have invested a large portion of their limited salary-cap cash on their defense. After a very poor month-long run to begin the season, this defense enjoyed two months of luxury last season.

Singleton, who finished first on the team in tackles (175) the previous season, has frequently referred to that awful period of play as “those five weeks.” The Broncos gave up 36.2 points and 450.6 yards per game over the first five games, which included a 70-point collapse against the Dolphins in Week 3.

And then that same bunch went around the bend. After that, Denver went on an eight-game losing streak during which it gave up 16.0 points and 331.6 yards per contest. To put that in perspective, the league average for yards allowed per game throughout the season was 331.6, while the Baltimore Ravens topped the league in scoring defense last season with 16.5 points per game.

Naturally, a lot of the Broncos’ offensive statistics never really bounced back after those first five weeks. In the end, they were 29th overall, 30th against the run, and 22nd against the pass. To prevent a sluggish start and establish their stride much sooner, their summer work with the group has focused on bringing more toughness up front and settling things more throughout training camp.

During minicamp, defensive coordinator Vance Joseph stated, “We have to get off to a better start.” “It’s obvious that starting in Week 1, coaching and playing improved. It is, of course, our objective. It will be fantastic once we get things underway.”

Two defensive group mainstays were lost by the Broncos: linebacker Josey Jewell signed a free agent contract with the Carolina Panthers, while safety Justin Simmons was let go by choice. After releasing quarterback Russell Wilson, they assumed a $85 million dead-money charge against their salary cap, with $53 million counting against the cap this season. This further restricted their ability to make adjustments. The Broncos presently have $9 million in cap space and a league-high $67.1 million in dead money, according to Roster Management.

Throughout his eight seasons, Simmons was unquestionably among the team’s greatest players. He just finished his sixth consecutive season with over 65 tackles and three or more interceptions. It will also be challenging to replace Jewell’s dependability and output because Singleton’s inside linebacker is still being sought after. Jewell finished behind Singleton in the Broncos’ tackle total from the previous season, with 108. He also contributed three sacks and two forced fumbles. When the Broncos report back for training camp, there are two big questions that need to be answered.

However, Denver made a move to sign free agent defensive lineman Angelo Blackson, safety Brandon Jones, and defensive tackle Malcolm Roach. Then, over draft weekend, they acquired defensive end John Franklin-Myers from the New York Jets, who is among the league’s most reliable interior defenders. Franklin has a resume that includes 19.5 career sacks and 52 career starts. He was acquired for a 2026 sixth-round pick. In each of his six seasons, the veteran has participated in at least fifteen games. Additionally, Franklin-Myers consented to a contract modification that reduced his cap charge—two years and $15 million.

George Paton, the general manager, stated, “We wanted to be better against the run.” “After acquiring Roach, we signed Blackson—clearly another potent run-stuffer—and then completed the deal for JFM. They may therefore press the pocket in addition to being effective against runs. These players play with such intensity.”

“I think that’s important,” Joseph stated, “holding a point for us and changing the line of scrimmage with those two guys [in Roach and Franklin-Myers] inside.” With run defense, our problem was with attacking. Thus, strengthening our tackling would also be beneficial. Missed tackles were the reason behind several of our large run losses, not gap fits.”

The Broncos’ run defense experienced several missteps even in times when the defense was doing better overall. The low point was the 10-touchdown avalanche in Week 3, when the Dolphins had 726 total yards and 350 running yards. Last season, they tied for 21st place in the league in sacks, finishing slightly below the center of the defensive pack while giving up at least 170 running yards in six games.

With these upgrades, Denver hopes to save Zach Allen from some of the double teams he faced throughout the 2023 season. The Broncos had trouble establishing an offensive lineup that could hold their footing on a regular basis.

“It is like night and day,” Singleton said. “You have to start from scratch when learning a new system… I believe that’s about what transpired throughout the first five weeks: we were attempting to do one thing, they were attempting to assist us, and nothing came together.”

But in 2024, will things have changed? Joseph thinks it will help right away since he understands that the second year under the same plan makes things easier.

“It’s going to be easier for the players to grasp the system,” he stated. “We expect to play better early, and that’s the bottom line.”